Charities combine to build homes for wildlife

Two Hampshire-based charities have combined to construct bug boxes, hedgehog houses and nest boxes for local wildlife.

The wildlife houses were built by people supported by Minstead Trust for the Cameron Bespolka Trust.

Minstead Trust supports around 200 people with learning disabilities to develop skills that allow them to gain greater independence and lead fulfilled lives. This includes working in the woodwork workshop to build items ordered by local people and organisations.

The bug boxes, hedgehog houses and nest boxes were constructed using recycled wood and included the Cameron Bespolka Trust logo and a security plate to prevent predators from entering.

The Cameron Bespolka Trust was set up in memory of a young naturalist and bird watcher to encourage other young people to love and appreciate nature.

Royce, who worked on the wildlife houses at Minstead Trust, said: ‘It’s good helping people out. I like helping making them because it helps my skills in the wood workshop.’

Corinne Cruickshank from Cameron Bespolka Trust, said: ‘I had seen swift boxes made by Minstead Trust and thought they were brilliant and wanted to include wildlife homes to sell for our charity. Nothing gave me more pleasure than to work with the very talented team in the workshop to custom design boxes to suit our charity.

‘It has been such a pleasure getting to know the people Minstead Trust support. They could not be more helpful and knowledgeable. Our wildlife homes are extremely popular and will even be displayed in one of Winchester’s leading shops in September to promote wildlife and our charity.’

Minstead Trust is announcing a record breaking year of volunteering to mark UK Volunteers’ Week.
The charity’s 130 volunteers clocked up an impressive 11,000 hours supporting people with learning disabilities over the last 12 months.

A theatre production with a difference is coming to the New Forest this month.
Cycling theatre company The HandleBards will be performing at Furzey Gardens near Lyndhurst on 25 May with their unique version of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.

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